Responses of serum gastrin and gastric acid output before and after bilioenteric by-pass in the dog and man.

Responses of serum gastrin and gastric acid output levels were studied in four dogs before and after a bilioenteric by-pass. Serum gastrin levels during bombesin infusion were measured in eight patients submitted to Roux-en-Y hepatocholangiojejunostomy. No change was observed in acid secretion from the main stomach or from the Heidenhain pouch in dogs following biliojejunostomy. The peak acid output, however, occurred significantly earlier after diversion of bile from the duodenum. Serum gastrin levels decreased significantly in dogs after bilioenteric by-pass and in the operated patients compared with normal subjects. The possible role played by bile in the release of duodenal gastrin is hypothesized.